Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance CyclingDo you enjoy centuries, double centuries, brevets, randonnees, and 24-hour time trials? Share ride reports, and exchange training, equipment, and nutrition information specific to long distance cycling. This isn't for tours, this is for endurance events cycling

so i'm going to ride this thing called the kokopelli trail with a buddy. it's 142 miles over 3 days through the desert. we've never done anything this long before so we're putting together a list of stuff for our packs. one topic we're talking about is whether we'll take a whole spare chain or just like 10 links or so. i dont know if it's pertinent to the question but we'll both be riding singlespeeds. ...and we both have pretty new chains. we'll be maintaining them on the trail of course, but just in case one of them busts, i want to be prepared. i've heard people say things like: "once a chain breaks and is repaired, it will never be as strong as it was." is this true of the ENTIRE chain or just the links surrounding the break? we're trying to go as light as possible.

thanks in advance for any advice. while i'm here i guess i'll just post the list, in case anyone has any suggestions or ideas. here it is:

tikka headlamp
chain lube
stove/pan/fuel
2 lexan forks
matches
lighter
cell phone
a few pieces of gauze, two gloves, 2 or 3 chest needles, and a small legnth of duct tape wrapped around a hollow/cut down bic pen tube, all in doubled-up ziplock bag. ...also neosporin, blister packs
camera
leatherman??
15mm wrench for wheelset
10 spare chain-links or full chain?
hydration bladder patch kit??? do they make these?
water purification tablets
water filtration system??? (if we just take the tablets, maybe we can take some gu2o or something and just mix it really weak to cover the iodine taste)
hand cleaner or soap (Or PURELL Wipes)

A lot of the trail is very remote...unless you're going with a group like I did (Bikerpelli), I'd suggest taking a replacement chain.

You may want to consider a folding replacement tire as well.

I see you mention hydration repair kit; I don't see a hydration pack listed, but I'll assume you're taking one. There's no water to speak of, so plan carefully. If you end up taking the Onion Creek road, don't drink it's water. According to the Kokopelli travel guide (which I strongly suggest you purchase at bikerpelli.com), Onion Creek is too polluted from mining operations to even purify the water for drinking.

Good luck. It really is a beautiful area of the country. Stick to the philosophy, "Leave no trace", and enjoy!